Silverstone's Lamborghini Thrill
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 01 November 2010
If, like many people who read LincsMag, you're into motoring, then there’s a chance you’ve already been to Silverstone - the Home of British Motor Racing.
If you haven’t, then now is the perfect time to get along to experience the atmosphere, and more importantly, the actual feel of driving a supercar around the Northamptonshire circuit.
But first, if you’ve never been bothered about the legendary circuit on your doorstep, here are some key facts: The race track hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix in 1948 and was the venue for the first ever round of the Formula One World Championship in 1950. It has also been the only circuit to stage the Formula 1 British Grand Prix since 1986.
Next year it will host the 2011 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix and the 2011 Air Asia British Grand Prix. In addition, Silverstone Circuits Limited has signed a five year agreement with Dorna Sports (the promoter and rights holder for MotoGP) to host the British Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) from 2010.
Phew! Now can you see why you might want to visit?
Christmas Gift
Ok, if you’re not bothered about fast cars, then maybe you have a member of the family or good friend who is? Is so, then the home of British motor racing has the perfect gift for Christmas – a Super Choice Voucher reduced from £140 to £99 for the holiday season only.
If that’s not enough, anyone purchasing it will also receive a complimentary ticket to a Silverstone event.
The Christmas Super Choice Voucher allows recipients to choose one of eight high octane ‘Thrills’. I love thrills, so I had to try this bit out. Let’s face it, it just wouldn’t seem fair to have to write about this and not experience, first hand, the buzz of getting behind the wheel of a supercar.
Gentle Giant
The offer allows you to drive, with a special instructor, either an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a Lamborghini Gallardo, a Ferrari 360 F Modena, a Lotus Exige, a Formula Silverstone Single-Seater, a Ford Fiesta ST Group N Rally Car, a Nissan GT-R or a Nissan 370Z.
Now, that is some choice! I went for the incredibly powerful 500bhp V10 5 litre Lamborghini Gallardo and I was met by supercar instructor, Nathan Ellis, who told me that I’d made an excellent choice. “The Lambo is a gentle giant. It’s a very stable car with a mid-mounted engine, which gives excellent weight balance. Add four wheel drive and you have a car that is really stable - not twitchy like an old supercar would be some years ago,” he said.
On the track
Of course, the advantage of Silverstone is that you have a very good track, and on gunning the engine of the Gallardo, I soon realised I was allowed to use the full Grand Prix straight.
That meant I could seriously stretch the legs of the 500bhp monster during the six mile thrill ride, with the reassuring safety of my instructor by my side.
And, with ABS, which is pretty standard these days, as well as stability management control, the Lamborghini Gallardo is a very encouraging supercar to drive.
Even though I was out in sunny, dry conditions, you get the impression that in wet weather the car will still help you out.
Now, I’m no racing driver, but I surprised myself at how quickly, under expert instruction, it is to reach speeds of 130mph down the main hangar straight. I even had the Lambo between 90-100mph on the new uphill sections of track. It was simply awesome fun.
Supercar sensation
On returning the Lamborghini Gallardo safely to its parking space, I realised how lucky I’d been to drive this car. Not only does it have the ultimate supercar looks, the sound of the V10 lump while out on the circuit is exquisite.
It’s one of most powerful supercars around and yet it’s a very practical supercar because, with power-steering, a normal gearbox and power assisted brakes you immediately feel at home behind the Gallardo’s wheel.
It makes for a fun, accommodating driving experience rather than a scary ‘I wish I’d never signed up for this’ type of event.
As Nathan said to me after we got out of the car, “See, I told you there was nothing to worry about.
It feels just like a normal car with more ‘oomph’, doesn’t it? I even had a lady of 83 driving it the other day.” He knew how to make me feel like a supercar hero!
For further information on Silverstone’s Super Choice Vouchers, terms and conditions, and the full range of Driving Thrills and Experiences available at Silverstone, visit www.silverstone.co.uk or call 0844 3728 270.
